During Senate testimony on the Farm Bill this week, Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly took to the floor late Wednesday afternoon.  “Farmers in Indiana and around the nation need the certainty of a five-year farm bill that reflects and addresses the...Read the full story... »      

Governor Mike Pence signed two new pieces of legislation in to law today to improve Hoosier commerce.  HEA 1068 and HEA 1481 are two bills that the Governor says will make Indiana agriculture even more competitive.  “They’re clearing the way...Read the full story... »      

The Nebraska Cattlemen State Beef Checkoff Task Force is recommending to the group’s executive committee that a state based checkoff not be pursued this year. The task force, chaired by Thedford rancher Dave Hamilton, considered input from people...Read the full story... »      

Senate photo While this is not her first farm bill, this is the first time Tammy Baldwin has dealt with one in the Senate. After serving seven terms in the House, the Wisconsin Democrat was elected to the Senate last November and she says there...Read the full story... »      

Betty Rosson keeps the book at her family’s farm and cattle ranch in Virginia and she is this year’s Monsanto Farm Mom of the Year. Rosson’s son, Charles, nominated her and she says that winning Farm Mom of the year is “awesome” but it hasn’t sunk in yet. Rosson and her husband Charles farm with their younger sons, Charles and Lee....Read the full story... »     

The FDA is proceeding with plans to place new restrictions on certain antibiotics that are used for growth promotion in livestock.  The FDA initiative would also require more veterinary oversight of antimicrobial use. However, there some issues associated with that requirement.  One is the shortage of food animal veterinarians in some parts of...Read the full story... »     

The USDA has confirmed that porcine epidemic diarrhea virus—called PEDV for short—has been identified in the U.S. for the first time through testing at the National Veterinary Service Laboratory. Dr. Lisa Becton, director of swine health information and research for the National Pork Board, tells Brownfield the virus has been confirmed in...Read the full story... »     

The president of Iowa Farm Bureau, Craig Hill, says criticism of the federal crop insurance program is “unwarranted”. “I don’t think it’s overly-subsidized.  I think it’s properly managed,” says Hill. “In the case of Iowa farmers, we think it’s done about right.” Hill shared his thoughts on crop insurance in an interview...Read the full story... »